ADVOCACIES

"Independently raising awareness, creating dialogue, finding solutions and pushing for systemic change.

One way I do this is through my Podcast series 2 'Back To The Fuschia.'

Since 08/03/2012 I have advocated for reform in Child Protection. See my suggested Moro Reform below.

I am currently a member of the Green Party.

I advocate for Homelessness and Housing Justice, Child Welfare Protection and Sexual Assault Reform, Gender-based Violence Reform and Marine Welfare Reform.

I also advocate my idea of a 1 to 1 form of care from birth to death for all people in the UK.

A centralized, "cradle-to-grave" 1-to-1 care system in the UK would be a radical reimagining of public infrastructure, building upon existing concepts like the NHS and recent proposals for a National Care Service. It could fundamentally transform UK society by ensuring personal equity, optimizing labour conditions for care workers and streamlining economic resources through unified public oversight

I also advocate for my idea to implement safety widgets on all technological devices for women and children who are at risk of abuse. While some schools, universities and institutions already have similar ideas, there is not a single uniform widget that relays straight to the police or a crime reporting unit.

1. Homelessness and Housing Justice.

I've seen both sides of the coin, having been a double graduate and homeless.

There is no reason why anybody should be sleeping rough on the streets in the UK in this day and age.
There is currently no filter system for a homeless person's individual needs.
There is no counselling offered to understand why homelessness occurred and to prevent it from reoccuring.

There is no accountability or consistent accommodation checks on homeless housing to ensure standards in Fire Safety, Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Environmental Safety.

2. Child Welfare Protection & Sexual Assault Reform.

I read about Baby P in the newspapers when my own daughter was a few months old. I just felt like I couldn't ignore it. I asked advice from the NSPCC and Law organisations and put together the Moro Reform in 2012. (Moro means 'baby' in Greek.) I sent this to David Cameron at No.10 who advised me to send it on to the Education Department etc, etc.
Not enough is done.

In the last five years there was an average of 63 child deaths a year in the UK by assault or undetermined intent.
Children aged under 1-year-old had the highest rate of homicide.
For other statistics, please see the NSPCC link below.

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/statistics-child-abuse

3. Gender-based Violence Reform

Domestic violence and sexual assault on women has unbelievably become so pervasive that it is often treated as a systemic norm rather than an aberration. It is a question of education and rights.

I advocate for tougher deterrents, sentencing and my idea of the implementation of the sexual offender electronic tag that offenders must use even after one incident. This is for both domestic violence and sexual assault.

I also believe that one centralised police database would cut down crime and inform triaging units of criminal records prior to further abuse and crime.

4. Marine Welfare - Dolphins and Octopi.

I consider it a crime that mammals and marine invertebrates like Dolphins and Octopi are not protected species. These marine animals have radar, the ability to camouflage and have shown high levels of intelligence. They feel pain, experience boredom and playfully bond with humans. The massacre of dolphins at Taiji, Japan annually from September 1 to March 1 remains a historic and ongoing crime.

Dolphins and Octopi should be granted the legal status of Non-Human Persons under the Non-Human Personhood Movement.

The Proposed Moro Reform created 08/03/2012

A balance of prevention and deterrent.

The Moro Reform seeks to stamp out abuse, largely through the education of parents and the introduction of tougher, more concise, uniform legislation.

Greater education of parents.

The introduction of mandatory pre-natal classes for both parents (if applicable) covering parental responsibility by law. This would be an extension of parental responsibility as stated in section 3 of the 1989 Children’s Act and also covered in the suggested book below.
One class would also cover the definitions of abuse and neglect, where, when and how to report it.
Parents to be given a list of contact numbers for reporting abuse, neglect and cruelty and contact details for the NSPCC.
Greater emphasis to be given to parents on the importance of learning first aid and resuscitation techniques for babies and children.
A mandatory book (or DVD) for parents by NHS or Health Department fully detailing parental responsibility with regards to finance, health, safety, education, etc and the legal repercussions of abuse and neglect or failing to report it. e.g. The Domestic violence, Crime & Victims Act 2004.

-e.g. neglect, leaving a baby alone overnight while parents go out is unacceptable.

-That a baby has the right to expect to be sheltered, fed, kept warm and a child has the right to expect attention, education, a stable home and parents living within their means, able to financially provide for a baby.

The cost of the book would cover administration costs within the Health Department and at Health Visitor and Midwife levels.
Parents have the right to expect adults working with their children in schools, etc, to have been vetted and checked and their right to see a copy of the sexual offenders register in their area. Certain states in Canada and America have already made this law.

2. Changes at birth. Upon the safe delivery and good health of mother and baby, a parent(s) to sign a paper accepting their parental responsibility. (Extension of section 3 1989 Children’s Act) Midwives would collect this.

3. Mandatory attendance of baby health clinics at least 3 times before the age of 6 months. A child’s red health book could be stamped on attendance or electronic recording by clinic booking. Midwives and Health visitors could note on new form per child whether there is the potential for child abuse. (Already a system in place for flagging potential abuse.)

4. Benefits to be halted or revoked to families convicted in court of child abuse.

5. The NHS to introduce a book (or DVD) on acceptable discipline, parenting and routines for babies and children. Greater consideration to be given to the realities of having a baby, particularly more information on what parents should sensibly do if the baby is screaming or there is a lack of bonding. It is to act as a guide for parents in the same way as the current NHS Pregnancy and Birth to Five books.

6. Nurseries, schools, doctors etc to be given greater powers to report suspicious activity or evidence of abuse. (See new legislation below)

7. Children in schools to be educated on their legal rights and given a list of contact numbers .e.g. NSPCC.

8. Immigrants to be made aware of Child Protection laws and their responsibility to their children within the United Kingdom. They are also to be made aware that certain cultural customs such as genital mutilation, child marriage, ‘honour’ abuse, child trafficking and slavery are illegal and unacceptable.

9. Greater incentive to attract recruitment to Social Services with special regard to Child Protection workers

10. The Media be allowed to name and photograph within the press people convicted of baby or child abuse and neglect.

11. Less bureaucratic box ticking as stated by The Munro review of child protection: final report 2011, and more focus on the immediate support and protection of vulnerable children.

12. A complete overhaul of the law with regards to baby and child protection.

Child Law to be uniform throughout the UK. At the moment it isn’t.
The Children’s Act 1989 – to be updated with regards to parental responsibility.
A mandatory child abuse reporting law to be created in the UK that requires professionals to report their suspicions to the authorities.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 to become part of UK-wide law.
The Human Rights Act 1998 to specifically mention babies and children’s rights.
The English Commissioner must have the remit to promote children’s rights. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have done so. Why is England lagging behind? (The Children's Commissioner for Wales Act 2001 created the first children’s commissioner post in the UK. The principal aim of the Commissioner is to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of children.) Dunford Review to lead to changes?
The guidance on interagency cooperation under the Children Act 1989 to be made statutory. (Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children is currently under review.)
Education Act 2002 to include new provision giving greater powers to be able to actively safeguard and notify authorities on suspicion of abuse.
The Sex Offenders Act 1997 – The registry to be made public. Guidance can be sought from Canada or the US states where it legal and acceptable for parents to be able to ascertain whether their children are at greater risk or not.
The Domestic Violence, Crime & Victims Act 2004 to be explained at mandatory prenatal class and included in the new Guidance Book so that parents are aware of the criminal responsibility within a household where they know that a child or vulnerable adult is at significant risk of serious harm.
To make sure the Protection of Freedom Bill 2011 does not restrict ‘vetting and barring’ of adults who pose a risk working with children. Children’s safety is more important.
New legislation to cover how old and qualified a babysitter, nanny’s help, nanny, childminder etc should be.
New legislation that covers the minimum age at which a child may safely be left alone.
More severe criminal penalties for abusers and offenders and these to be publicised.

All of the above recommendations can be carried out by the institutions already in place within the United Kingdom. Children are the future of this country. Let’s actively safeguard that future.

‘There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul, than the way in which it treats its children.’ – Nelson Mandela.

ADVOCACIES

"Independently raising awareness, creating dialogue, finding solutions and pushing for systemic change.

​